The Low Tier – Sonoma

Joey Hand – At Sonoma, Joey Hand will return behind the wheel of the #15 Rick Ware Racing entry. Hand has some potential, but keep in mind this is a Rick Ware Racing entry at the end of the day. Earlier this year at COTA, Hand showed potential at times, but at the end of the day he finished a clunker 35th after having “Suspension” issues. In the race, Hand had the 26th best Total Speed Ranking with his speed over the segments being 26th, 25th, 23rd and 23rd. On Sunday, I would look for Hand to finish in the 20’s.

Cody Ware – Cody Ware has been pretty consistent at Sonoma and when you look at him in the results column, you’ll find not so great results of 34th (2021-crash), 36th (2019-fatigue) and 36th (2018-fuel pump). Last year at Sonoma, Ware crashed in the closing laps and just prior to his demise he was running in the high twenties. Additionally, Ware had a 30.3 average running position and the 35th best Total Speed Ranking. This spring at COTA in the Next Gen’s road course racing debut, Ware finished 27th and had a 33.3 average running position.

Josh Bilicki – This spring at COTA in the Next Gen’s road course racing debut, Josh Bilicki was the top “Low Tier” performer and when the checkered flag waved he finished 22nd, had a 28.4 average running position and had the 32nd best Total Speed Ranking. At Sonoma, Bilicki has two starts on his resume. Last year he finished 29th, and in 2017 he finished 26th.

Scott Heckert – At Sonoma, Scott Heckert will be piloting the #78. Keep in mind, this is BJ McLeod’s car, so it’s arguably the slowest car on the track on a week-to-week basis. Last year at Sonoma, Heckert also piloted the #78 and in that event he started 35th, finished 26th and had the 34th best Total Speed Ranking. At the Daytona road course in spring 2021 in his only other Cup start ever, Heckert finished 28th.

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